Estate of Ramirez, Matter of

• Decision Date: 22 February 1994
• Docket Number: No. 93-466,93-466
• Citation: 264 Mont. 33,869 P.2d 263
• Parties: In The Matter of the ESTATE OF Julian RAMIREZ, Jr., Deceased. Betty J. Ramirez, Petitioner and Appellant, Nicholas Reid Ramirez, Respondent.
• Court: Montana Supreme Court

Page 263

869 P.2d 263

264 Mont. 33

In The Matter of the ESTATE OF Julian RAMIREZ, Jr., Deceased Betty J. Ramirez, Petitioner and Appellant Nicholas Reid Ramirez, Respondent.

No. 93-466.

Supreme Court of Montana.

Submitted on Briefs Jan. 27, 1994.

Decided Feb. 22, 1994.

[264 Mont. 34] Craig W. Holt, Billings, for petitioner and appellant.

Damon L. Gannett, Gannett & Ventrell, Billings, for respondent.

TRIEWEILER, Justice.

Betty J. Ramirez petitioned the District Court of the Thirteenth Judicial District, in Yellowstone County, to admit letters authored by her deceased son, Julian Ramirez, to probate as his holographic will. After hearing evidence, the District Court denied admission of the proposed will to probate. The petitioner appeals from the order of the District Court. We reverse.

The following issue is presented on appeal:

Did the District Court err when it concluded that the documents offered as the holographic will of Julian Ramirez were unsupported by testamentary intent?

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Julian Ramirez, Jr., was incarcerated in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility between November 21, 1991, and December 3, 1991. During that time, he mailed a one-page, handwritten letter to his sister, Julie Ramirez, which contained the following unedited language:

Im gonna stay with mom and help her out mom did alot of things for me she paid off my car and always got me out of jail thats why I think mom should have everything if anything ever happens to me I also think she should have nicolas because Elaine doesnt take care of him but mom will take care of him

Between January 27, 1992, and February 28, 1992, Julian was again incarcerated in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. During this time, he wrote another one-page letter to his sister, Julie. That letter stated in part (also unedited):

Im so tired of living I wish I could just kill myself If anything ever does happen to me or I do something to myself tell mom I want her to have everything of mine

Neither letter was dated, but both were signed "Julian Ramirez."

Julian Ramirez died as a result of an automobile accident on September 21, 1992, at the age of 22 years. At the time of his death, Julian had one child, a son, Nicholas, who is now three years old. There is no legal relationship between Julian and the child's mother, Elaine Coburn.

On December 29, 1992, Betty Ramirez, Julian's mother, filed a petition for formal probate of will, determination of testacy and heirs, and appointment of personal representative. She attached as Julian's holographic will, the second letter he had written to Julie. Nicholas, through his attorney, objected to the admission of the alleged will. The District Court held a hearing on the matter on March 11, 1993. At the hearing, Betty offered the first letter Julian sent to Julie to supplement the letter she attached to the formal probate petition. On July 19, 1993, the court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order, and denied admission of the letters to probate as holographic wills.

Did the District Court err when it concluded that the documents offered as the holographic will of Julian Ramirez were unsupported by testamentary intent?

In a nonjury trial, this Court will not disturb the district court's findings of fact unless they are clearly erroneous. Rule 52(a), M.R.Civ.P.; Flikkema v. Kimm (1992), 255 Mont. 34, 37, 839 P.2d 1293, 1295. Our standard of review for questions of law is to determine whether the district court has correctly interpreted the law. Schaub v. Vita Rich Dairy (1989), 236 Mont. 389, 391, 770 P.2d 522, 523. The basis for this standard of review is that no discretion is involved when a tribunal arrives at a conclusion of law; the tribunal either correctly or incorrectly applies the law. Flikkema, 839 P.2d at 1295.

There are three requirements for a valid holographic will in Montana. An individual who is eighteen years or older and is of sound mind has the capacity to make a will. Section 72-2-301, MCA (1991). A holographic will meets the formalities of execution if its material provisions are in the handwriting of the testator and signed by the testator. Section 72-2-303, MCA (1991). Finally, the individual must have testamentary intent; he must intend that the document will dispose of his property after death. See Estate of Coleman (1961), 139 Mont. 58, 359 P.2d 502; In re Van Voast's Estate (1954), 127 Mont. 450, 266 P.2d 377; In re Augestad's Estate (1940), 111 Mont. 138, 106 P.2d 1087.

There is no dispute that Julian Ramirez had the capacity to make a will, and the District Court concluded that both letters met the statutory formalities for the execution of a holographic will. However, the District Court refused to admit the letters as a holographic will because the District Court concluded that both letters and the surrounding circumstances failed to reflect sufficient testamentary intent.

In previously addressing this issue,...